2026 Ballon d’Or: Sevilla coach, García slams organisers for snubbing forward

Sevilla manager, Luis García, has said that the exclusion of Barcelona’s Raphinha from the nominees’ shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is “a joke.”

Raphinha is one of the notable omission from the 30-man list.

However, the Brazilian forward has responded to the snub with a stunning start to this season, and has scored 14 goals in all competitions already.

“It’s a joke that he’s not even nominated for the Ballon d’Or,” García told reporters.

“He is a match winner, that’s why I don’t believe in these prizes. He does everything.”

Raphinha won the LaLiga title and Champions League with Barcelona last season.